Arju Rana Deuba preparing to return home before Tihar

KATHMANDU:- It is reported that Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, an influential leader of the Nepali Congress and former Foreign Minister, is preparing to return to Nepal before Tihar. Having traveled to Hong Kong for medical treatment following the ‘Gen Z’ movement last year, she is now preparing to return home with an eye toward the upcoming 15th General Convention of the Nepali Congress (specifically the faction outside the establishment group).

Amidst intense debate regarding the selection of the Nepali Congress’s future leadership and the internal balance of power, Deuba’s potential return to the country is being viewed as politically significant. Sources claim that discussions are underway within the party’s rival faction—specifically regarding the possibility of putting her forward for the position of female Vice-President of the party.

Yubaraj Gurung, President of the Nepali Public Relations Committee in the UK, has confirmed that Deuba is preparing to return to Nepal.

Speaking to NepalBritain.com, Gurung said, “She is preparing to return to Nepal. There is widespread pressure to appoint her as a female Vice-Chairperson during the party’s upcoming General Convention. She has already been selected as a representative from Kailali for the 15th General Convention. She will return home to participate in the convention, which is scheduled for Mangsir.”

According to Gurung, Deuwa had originally planned to return to Nepal before Dashain. However, her trip has been postponed by a few weeks due to certain technical reasons and the scheduling of meetings in Hong Kong with some leaders considered close to the Indian establishment.

Nevertheless, a specific date for Deuwa’s return to Nepal has not yet been made public.

According to sources, Deuba’s son, Jayabir Deuba, and his daughter-in-law traveled to Hong Kong to receive *tika* for the Dashain festival. It is reported that, alongside family gatherings, Deuba has been holding consultations regarding his health, his return to Nepal, and future political activities.

Deuba’s return from abroad—following the political upheaval of last year—is being viewed in connection with the new political situation currently unfolding within the Nepali Congress.

As preparations for the Nepali Congress’s 15th General Convention get underway, discussions within the party have intensified regarding the transfer of leadership, organizational restructuring, and the representation of women in leadership roles.

Against this backdrop, the proposal to put forward former Foreign Minister Deuba as a potential candidate for the position of Vice-President has gained traction.

With the rival faction within the Congress also actively preparing for the General Convention, it is speculated that Deuba’s potential candidacy could lead to the formation of new political equations within the party.

Arzu, who is the wife of former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, has long been active in the party’s political and organizational affairs. Having previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs, her future political role is being viewed with keen interest by the leadership of the Nepali Congress.

However, Deuba herself has not made a formal announcement regarding her candidacy for the position of Vice President. Furthermore, no official decision has been made public by the relevant faction within the party concerning her nomination.